Feb. 2, 2016 PositiveID Corp. (OTCQB:PSID) has partnered with GenArraytion, Inc. who recently announced the development of the first commercially available polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based molecular test to identify the Zika virus, a fever-causing disease transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The Zika virus test works with an existing GenArraytion MultiFLEX™ Bioassay panel that targets viruses that cause dengue fever, yellow fever and Chikungunya, which are also carried by this mosquito and are known to cause febrile disease in humans. The Aedes Aegypti MultiFLEX™Bioassay test is designed to work on bead-based endpoint instruments and real-time PCR platforms, such as Positive ID’s, Firefly DX. The test targets four genetic regions of the Zika virus, making detection possible even if the virus mutates in the future. MultiFLEX™ molecular assays help health officials identify infectious diseases in panels with up to 20 genetic markers, for fever-causing and vector-borne disease organisms of concern.

PositiveID’s Firefly Dx is a hand-held unit designed to analyze biological samples and deliver molecular diagnostic results in less than 30 minutes. The portable nature of the Firefly Dx enables health care officials working in the field to accurately test and diagnose individuals on-the-spot. The rapid response of the Firefly Dx could allow officials to quickly assess a population’s exposure and enact measures to contain and prevent further spread of the infectious disease. To date, Firefly has demonstrated the ability to detect and identify many pathogens and diseases including, Ebola, measles, seasonal and avian flu, E. coli, and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (“MRSA”). With the use of GenArrayation Inc.’s assays in the future, Firefly Dx may also detect Zika, dengue fever, yellow fever, and Chikungunya.